14 February 2013 - Nashville, Tenn – K-LOVE, the leading Christian radio network with a weekly listenership of 14 million people, announced today at an exclusive press event that they will bring the first ever fan-voted awards show in Christian music history to Nashville. The K-LOVE Fan Awards and Ultimate Fan Experience will kick off Friday, May 31 and culminate Sunday, June 2.

The K-LOVE Fan Awards will open the voting process to the fans in May. The winners will be announced at the Awards show, which will be held on Saturday, June 1st at 7:30pm at the historic Ryman Auditorium. This inaugural event will bring together the biggest names in Christian music, sports, books and movies for its biggest night in Music City. K-LOVE immediately selected Nashville as the host city as it is home to the faith-based entertainment industry.

K-LOVE’s CCO David Pierce shares, “We appreciate our relationship with both listeners and Nashville's music community. The K-LOVE Fan Awards is an opportunity for us to appreciate and encourage those who are making music and media that impacts our world for Christ.”

At a press event held earlier today at the Ryman, details were announced about the Fan Awards and the Ultimate Fan Experience. Some of the industry’s top artists such as TobyMac, Amy Grant, Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Francesca Battistelli, Jamie Grace and Plumb were involved with the special announcement sharing details for this fan-based event. Also, special appearances included Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and K-LOVE President and CEO Mike Novak and CCO David Pierce. Ken Coleman of the Catalyst Conference and The Ken Coleman Show hosted the press conference.

“K-LOVE is in a unique position to bring together millions of listeners while building a very special event with the Christian music community,” explains John Sanders, co-creator and producer of the event. “I couldn't be more excited about helping to create this amazing Awards show and Fan Experience.”

FAN AWARDS
The K-LOVE Fan Awards mission is to create a fan experience that celebrates and promotes artists, athletes, authors and entertainers who, with excellence, engage and impact popular culture for Jesus Christ. With hosting duties going to four of the stars from A&E TV’s popular show “Duck Dynasty,” Phil & Kay Robertson and Jase & Missy Robertson, they shared their excitement about hosting this inaugural event.

"We are thrilled to be a part of this fan-centered event for the Christian music industry,” the Robertson’s exclaimed in a joint statement. “With our own show, we know how important and vital the fans are to our success, and we understand why K-LOVE wants to host this event to give back to their listeners. As fans of Christian music, we are excited to host the awards and bring our own Duck Dynasty flare to the evening for a fun-filled, family-friendly event."

Performers already slated are fan favorites such as TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, Casting Crowns, Newsboys, and MercyMe, to name a few. Categories for the Awards are as follows:

Female Vocalist of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year
Duo/Group of the Year
Breakthrough Artists of the Year
Sports Impact
Movie Impact
Book of the Year
"Unsung Hero" A K-LOVE listener recipient award
Artists of the Year
Song of the Year

Duck Dynasty's Phil & Kay Robertson, Jase & Missy Robertson

THE ULTIMATE FAN EXPERIENCE
Fans are encouraged to sign up for the exclusive K-LOVE Ultimate Fan Experience, which will begin May 31 and run through June 2. With Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Resort as the home base, those who join this Experience will receive tickets to the Awards show, a two-night stay at Opryland, dinner with the K-LOVE staff and friends, a weekend kick-off concert, an exclusive meet & greet, and much more. There are a limited spots to the Ultimate Fan Experience and it is slated to sell out. To find out more or to book your Fan Experience Weekend, please visit KLOVEFanAwards.com.

The K-LOVE Fan Awards is a John Sanders LLC/World Hope Event. More announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

ABOUT K-LOVE
K-LOVE plays positive, encouraging contemporary Christian music with a message designed to draw people toward an authentic relationship with God while living out real life in the real world. The radio network has 446 signals in 47 states with an estimated weekly audience of 14 million. Now with their first-ever Fan Awards, their mission is to create a unique and fun fan experience that celebrates and promotes artists, athletes, authors and entertainers, who, with excellence, engage and impact popular culture for Jesus Christ.